Former hospital CEO pleading guilty to federal charges

Jason Hunsicker @JHunsicker_KDE @jhunsicker_kde

Monday

Sep 30, 2019 at 3:51 PMSep 30, 2019 at 4:30 PM

KIRKSVILLE — The former chief executive officer of Putnam County Memorial Hospital in Unionville is pleading guilty to federal criminal charges related to the illegal billing scheme that came to light through a 2017 audit by Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway.

According to court records, David Lane Byrns was charged with a federal count of attempt and conspiracy to commit mail fraud and agreed to plead guilty Thursday.

His case had been handled by the U.S. Western District of Missouri. It will be transferred to the Middle District of Florida for sentencing.

Byrns faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.

"This all began with our audit of a small county-owned hospital," Galloway said in a statement. "Our work helped expose a nationwide conspiracy that led to these federal criminal charges. Health care fraud impacts costs for all Missourians and underscores the importance of holding those responsible accountable. Over the past two years, my office has worked with law enforcement throughout the nation to ensure that those responsible for these crimes are punished."

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